Asus ZenWatch 2 review

WHAT IS THE ASUS ZENWATCH 2?

The ZenWatch 2 is Asus’ second attempt at putting Android Wear on your wrist. 2014’s ZenWatch was an attractive entry in the expanding smartwatch market, with its refined design and low price. But it was let down by the lack of a physical button and a use of a clunky, early version of Android Wear.

The Zenwatch 2 attempts to fix these and other issues, delivering a well-built, sleek-looking smartwatch with a refined version of Android Wear and a choice of two sizes. They’ve also managed to keep the price low at £149.99 for the larger model (the smaller one isn’t currently available in the UK, although Asus told TrustedReviews they are looking into a possible launch depending on demand) and are offering buyers a choice of three different design styles, and 18 different straps.

However, with the lack of a heart rate monitor, paired-down iPhone functionality, and the return of the dreaded super-bezel, does the ZenWatch 2 do enough to put Asus at the forefront of a still burgeoning smartwatch market?

ASUS ZENWATCH 2 – DESIGN

Asus has kept the rounded square design from the first ZenWatch. The 2014 model measured 51mm x 39.9mm, whereas the largest of the two new designs shaves a few millimetres off the length at 49.6mm x 40.7mm. In terms of thickness, the ZenWatch 2 actually adds to the first model’s 9.4mm, with the large version coming in at 10.9mm. The smaller of the new models reduces length and width further at 45.2mm x 37.2mm, but the tradeoff is that you get an even thicker 11.8mm body.

My review model was the larger of the two new ZenWatches which weighs 70g – still 5g less than its predecessor. In comparison, the smaller version, which seems to be Asus’ attempt at targeting women, weighs only 60g.

I can tell you that the ZenWatch 2’s lightweight, sleek design makes it very comfortable to wear. I didn’t notice the extra weight after a few hours and never had any issues with it catching on clothing or knocking against things. In other words, it’s refined build quality is about more than aesthetics, it also makes the watch practical to wear.

But, as Asus proved with the first ZenWatch and its range of Zenbooks, aesthetics certainly matter. The new device looks distinctly Apple Watch-esque, especially with the added crown which acts as a multi-functional button. But Asus has gone further than simply mimicking the design of Apple’s product.

The ZenWatch 2 is mostly stainless steel and comes in three different finishes: silver, gun metal, and a striking rose gold. The curved Gorilla Glass 3 looks great and the whole thing manages to feel elegant and sturdy at the same time. My review model was the gun metal version which, with its rose gold crown/button, looks genuinely stylish.

The strap options add a further element of choice and are all made from different materials and feature a variety of clasp types. You can also choose between 18mm and 22mm strap size options. So if you have slender wrists and don’t feel like highlighting just how small they are, you can strap on the smaller model.

Asus really has done well in terms of design, providing a premium-feeling product at an affordable price. The ZenWatch 2 isn’t quite as striking as the LG Watch Urbane or the Huawei Watch, but it’s also nowhere near as expensive.

One unwelcome return from the first gen ZenWatch however, is the bezel around the screen. Put simply, it’s huge. Despite a small reduction in the length of the watch face, the screen is still surrounded by a hefty black border. What’s interesting is that, while large bezels on laptops and phones really do make their respective devices seem dated, for me, the effect is lessened when it comes to smartwatches, so it’s not a complete deal breaker.

It would be nice to have a smaller bezel, and compared to the Moto 360 2 with its unadorned digital porthole, the black screen surround certainly looks a tad behind the times. But Asus has done such a nice job of the overall design that even a large screen border can’t detract from the wholly modern build. It also means that the screen can remain smaller to preserve battery life.

ASUS ZENWATCH 2 – DISPLAY

When it comes to the screen, Asus has provided all you’ll ever really need from a smartwatch display. The 1.63-inch, 320 x 320, AMOLED screen features a 278ppi density, which is more than adequate for the average user. If you try hard enough you can just about make out the individual pixels, but overall, images, icons, and text appear crisp and vivid. Once again, Asus sent me the larger of the ZenWatch 2 models, and although I haven’t used the smaller one, I can imagine that there’s no danger of pixelation on the 1.45-inch 280 x 280 resolution screen. Usability might suffer however, as I found the 1.63-inch screen is just about large enough to use all of the swipe actions comfortably.

The Zenwatch 2 uses the same AMOLED screen technology as the first ZenWatch, which helps further mitigate the bezel issue. An LCD screen wouldn’t offer as deep black reproduction, which would make the distinction between screen and bezel more noticeable. You can still make out the border between screen and bezel, but it’s much more subtle thanks to the AMOLED tech’s ability to produce deeper blacks.

Whereas the first ZenWatch display left much to be desired when it came to readability in bright sunlight, I had no problems reading the screen on the new model during the day. It should be said that I was using the ZenWatch 2 in a distinctly drab London, but even in the rare moments when the sun would appear, I had no problems reading the screen and even managed to use the Google Maps app to navigate across the city without any problems.

ASUS ZENWATCH 2 – FEATURES

The Zenwatch 2 runs a much-improved version of Google’s Android Wear OS, compared to the one seen on the original Zenwatch. The first model suffered from a lack of good Android integration. This was partly due to the lack of a physical button, but mainly becuase the OS just wasn’t all that impressive in 2014. Since then a range of apps have added Android Wear compatibility and the user experience, although still nothing ground-breaking, is all the better for it.

With the new ZenWatch, the company has improved the user experience in nearly every way. The 9-axis sensor and bio-sensor has been jettisoned in favour of a 6-axis sensor with a gyroscope and accelerometer. Although this may seem like a downgrade, fitness fans are unlikely to want a ZenWatch as there are more advanced, cheaper dedicated workout trackers on the market. Heart Rate monitors are also yet to reach a stage where they are wholly reliable anyway and with its stylish design, it’s clear that the ZenWatch 2 benefits from the lack such a feature, allowing as it does for decreased width and weight

Those looking for a good fitness tracker which maintains a commitment to style should check out the Withings Activite Steel.

In every other way, the new device improves upon the earlier model with a range of additions. The ability to connect via Wi-Fi is new, allowing for updates and notifications even when the watch isn’t paired with your phone. And while the heart rate monitor is missing, the ZenWatch 2 will still track your steps and includes both Google Fit and Asus’ own Wellness app to keep you updated on steps taken, calories burned and distance travelled.

Apps can now be accessed by holding down the crown button or swiping left from the home screen. There’s all the usual Google programmes available such as Hangouts and Google Play music, as well as Skype, BBC News and organisational tools such as Agenda.

For me, the Google Play Music integration was a great feature, as I could skip tracks, alter the volume, and browse playlists without having to get my phone out of my pocket on packed London Underground carriages. It’s a small convenience but a welcome one. What’s more, the watch also worked with Apple Music, although the only options you’re given with Apple’s app are skip/play/pause and volume controls.

There’s also a host of watch apps available for download from the accompanying smartphone app, also called Android Wear. Among some of the options I tried was the remote camera app, which displays what your phone’s camera sees on the ZenWatch and allows you to take pictures by tapping the screen. It essentially works as a remote shutter button which some may find useful. Again, it’s nothing revolutionary, but it works seamlessly and is a nice feature to have.

The ZenWatch 2 is IP67 rated for water and dust resistance. That’s an improvement on the original ZenWatch, which was rated IP55, and better than the Apple Watch’s IPX7. In principle, the new watch’s designation means it can be submerged in water up to one metre for half an hour before things start going wrong. I haven’t tested that, and it’s probably best you don’t either as the rating refers to ‘accidental submersion’. But it’s nice to know that this is, at least in principle, a more sturdy design than its predecessor.

Changing watch faces is done with a simple long press on the home screen where you can choose between a variety of designs. Further faces are available to download via the Face Designer app, which also allows you to create your own watch faces. I found Face Designer incredibly easy to use and had a decent-looking new watch face design in minutes. You can download the app through the Android Wear app on your phone.

ASUS ZENWATCH 2 – PERFORMANCE

In terms of hardware, the ZenWatch 2 is pretty standard for Android Wear and almost identical to the 2014 model. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz CPU is backed up by 512MB of RAM and 4GB of eMMC flash storage. The only areas in which the new device differs significantly from the old one are battery and sensor. More on the battery later.

What this means in practice is a fairly fluid and responsive OS experience. Whereas the original ZenWatch was designed to be talked to, using Google Now and the built-in microphone, Asus has clearly tried to make the second iteration more accessible to those who would rather use fingertips than vocals. While the ZenWatch 2 retains the microphone and voice control, it’s actually easier to just swipe and tap your way to through the menus and commands.

From the home screen you can swipe down from the top to access the equivalent of the notifications shade on Android. The pull-down menu allows you to access quick settings such as which notifications to display, brightness boost, and cinema mode – which simply means ‘turn the screen off’. All the swipe actions work well and although wearables such as the Moto 360 2 allow slightly more room for swiping, the 1.63-inch screen on the large ZenWatch 2 is just about big enough to make things easy.

Accessing apps is similarly pain-free. You can either long-press the crown button or swipe left from the home screen. This will bring up a list of apps with the most recently accessed ones at the top. Swiping left again brings up a list of contacts which you can then tap on and call or send messages or emails using voice recognition. Another left swipe brings up a list of actions from setting reminders, alarms, and taking notes to sending emails, playing music, or displaying how many steps you’ve taken that day.

Once you’ve got an app running, it will sit below the home screen for easy access by swiping upwards. Sometimes notifications will sit at the bottom of the watch face which can be annoying, especially if you’ve already hidden them with a quick downward swipe. If you’re listening to music for instance, a small bar will appear at the bottom of the watch face, displaying the song name and a play/pause icon. Often I would swipe down to hide it, only for it to reappear the next time I looked at my wrist. No doubt this is to enable quick play/pause control, but if I’ve chosen to hide it, the OS should remember that and keep it hidden until I swipe up to bring it back into view.

There’s also a noticeable pause when opening some apps. Tapping an app from the menu will result in a brief period where nothing happens, making you wonder if the screen registered the touch properly. It’s not a long wait but certain apps definitely won’t open instantly. Still, this is the same with other Smartwatches that use Android Wear. I experienced similar pauses when opening an app on the Moto 360.

These are minor problems that don’t really detract from what is overall an intuitive and simple user interface. Android Wear still has a long way to go before it becomes good enough to warrant everyone having it on their wrists, and it’s not going to revolutionise how you interact with the digital world. But it’s worth reiterating that in this instance you’re getting an OS which does what it does well, encased in a stylish looking device for less than £150.

A further feature worth highlighting is the ability to control Android Wear with gestures. A quick flick of the wrist will scroll up, while the opposite action will, you guessed it, scroll down. It’s another feature that’s not going to blow your mind but is nice to have available, and on those crowded London Underground carriages I often found myself flicking through the various notifications. You’ll look weird but if you cared what people thought, you probably wouldn’t buy a smartwatch anyway right?

There’s also the iPhone compatibility which allows you to use the ZenWatch 2 in a paired-down capacity with your Apple device. The older version of Android Wear that works with iOS won’t let you send messages or take phone calls and is generally less interactive than the full Android version. This is likely to change in the future however, and it’s a welcome inclusion which means the ZenWatch 2 has a future-proof aspect to it.

ASUS ZENWATCH 2 – BATTERY

Poor battery life has plagued smartwatches since their release. The first ZenWatch lasted about a day on a full charge with minimal use but things have changed slightly with the new version. I found the ZenWatch 2 lasted two days comfortably on one charge. After two days usage, the battery went from 100% to 35%, so you could probably squeeze two and a half to three days out of it with minimal usage. I was using it for checking the odd notification, controlling music playback on my commute to and from work, and sending some replies to messages. The brightness was set at 3/5 and the screen was in ’always on’ ambient mode. More intense usage with the brightness set higher will likely give you a day and a half.

The 400mAh Battery in the large version of the new ZenWatch is only marginally bigger than the 370mAh one that came in the first model. If you go for the smaller ZenWatch 2, you get a 300mAh battery, which is likely to reduce the amount of on-time slightly. Although with a smaller screen it may not make a lot of difference and without testing it, I can’t say for sure.

Overall, the ZenWatch holds up in comparison to other options on the market but therein lies the problem. Battery life on smartwatches needs to improve if they are to be adopted more widely. Having another device to charge every night isn’t going to win people over and the ZenWatch 2 does little to improve things in this area, although it does manage to improve on the first generation model.

Still, Asus has tried to make the charging process as easy as possible by doing away with the charging dock and replacing it with a magnetic cable. The pogo charger cable clips into the back of the watch and plugs into any USB outlet on the other end. Asus provides you with a mains adapter too. It’s much easier than using a dock as it takes up less space and means you don’t have to worry about losing another part.

Recharge times are also dramatically improved in comparison to the 2014 model. Asus claims the ZenWatch 2 will charge 35% faster than the first generation ZenWatch, and having used it I can say that this seems about right. The watch went from almost dead to 100% in around 40 minutes.

SHOULD I BUY THE ASUS ZENWATCH 2?

As with most things, whether you should by the ZenWatch depends on what you’re looking for. Those in the market for a great fitness tracker should look elsewhere, perhaps to the Moto 360 2 or any of the fitness trackers from Withings. The ZenWatch 2’s stylish design and lack of a heart rate sensor puts it squarely in the smartwatch category, as distinct from the fitness tracker group.

For those who are looking for a device in the smartwatch category however, you can do a lot worse than the ZenWatch 2. What’s most striking about it is how good it looks for such a low price. If you’d shelled out for an Apple Watch and it came in the ZenWatch case you wouldn’t be disappointed. Asus really has created a sleek gadget, and if you’re looking for your first smartwatch, the ZenWatch 2 provides a low-cost way of testing the waters while maintaining quality.

Compared to the first generation model, the ZenWatch 2 also benefits from an evolved Android Wear. There’s more apps, things work quickly and easily enough, and the addition of a physical button also adds style as well as functionality. Asus’ device pretty much matches higher end smartwatches in terms of hardware as well, meaning you get the same performance as a pricier wearable. It’s worth bearing in mind however, that the ZenWatch works best with Android, so if you’re an iPhone user you may want to opt for the Apple Watch (although further Android Wear updates may add more iOS compatibility options).

VERDICT

The ZenWatch 2 isn’t going to drag smartwatches fully into the mainstream, but Asus has made a stylish, affordable device which improves upon the first ZenWatch in all the areas that count.